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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Join host Keith Michael Mahne for a wonderful conversation with Disney Legend Jack Lindquist. Jack talks about his childhood, joining the WDC, meeting Walt Disney, working with Card Walker and Michael Eisner, becoming Disneyland's very first president and so much more. Continue after the page break for more...

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

We all say it before we leave for
our Disney World vacation: “Let’s try and hit everything but I want to relax
too!”Next thing you know you’re four
days in still grabbing clothes out of your suitcase right after waking up to
the seven alarms you set so you don’t oversleep.Everyone is exhausted, their legs are aching
and they could even become a little bit “hangry”.If you are unfamiliar with the expression
“hangry” let me enlighten you: it’s when you become so hungry you get irritable
or angry, hence, hangry; it’s one of my girlfriend’s favorite terms.Although naps are the best remedy, who wants
to nap when you’re finally at the best place in the world?If you’re at all like me, I don’t want to
spend too much time at the resort so I try to recoup in one of the Parks.To me, although the resorts are world class,
I’m not there for them.I have a few
places I love to relax when I’m beaten up from the Florida heat, road-rage-stroller-pushers,
and non-stop walking.There are a ton of
great attractions to sit back and relax, but that’s a completely different
conversation.So, I’ll be sharing my
favorite places to unwind and replenish while still making the most of my
Disney vacation. Join me after the page break and I'll fill you in...

Monday, July 28, 2014

Disney Avenue is very excited to welcome our newest contributing writer Ryan Reed! He has several interesting articles lined up for you and we are thrilled to have Ryan be apart of the Disney Avenue community. Please continue after the page break and allow Ryan to introduce himself...

Thursday, July 24, 2014

I love searching the web for vintage Walt Disney World pictures and videos. It brings back a wonderful sense of nostalgia. I also enjoy seeing how the park has progressed over time. Today I'd like to share with you one of my all time favorite videos of early WDW. This film ran as part of the Sunday night Wonderful World of Disney TV show in January 1971, mere months before the park opened. Disney had been heavily promoting Walt Disney World for over two years. All of their 1971 theatrical release posters included reminders of the vacation destination along their bottom, and in early 1971 they had prepared a special promotional film called Project Florida. Continue after the page break and have a look for yourself...

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

We are very excited to announce that Disney Legend Jack Lindquist will be our next guest on the Disney Avenue Podcast. Jack Lindquist was hired by Walt Disney as Disneyland’s first advertising manager, and eventually played a key role in making the Park a world-famous tourist attraction. From marketing the original “E tickets” to lobbying for Disneyland’s millennial expansion, Jack was involved in nearly every aspect of the theme park. Continue after the page break for more...

Monday, July 21, 2014

On the mourning of Wednesday, May 16 Imagineering and the rest of the world were shocked to learn of the sudden death of Jim Henson at the age of 53. A creative genius who re-invented the art of puppetry, Jim joined the Disney team when he and Michael Eisner announced an agreement-in-principle under which Henson Associates, Inc. would prduce theatrical motion pictures, network and off-network television shows, Disney Channel specials and series, as well as special Muppet attractions and rides for the Disney theme parks. Continue after the page break as Imagineers remember a true Disney Legend, Jim Henson...

Sunday, July 20, 2014

This is one of my absolute favorite Walt Disney videos... and he is only in it for 14 seconds. The music in the video as well as seeing Walt in his park just pulls at the heart-strings. The video was shot in 1956, just one year after Disneyland opened. Walt's appearance in the film is short and sweet but powerful; at least in my opinion. Continue after the page break and have a look...

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Tucked away in New Orleans Square in Disneyland is a simple door. It
blends in well, barely noticeable, except for the large plaque brandishing the
number 33 marking its address, 33 Royal Street. Yet behind that simple door
lies the most exclusive club in America, housing priceless Disney artifacts and
an experience that does have a price…and it is hefty. Continue after the page
break for a look inside the elite Club 33...

Thursday, July 17, 2014

During the opening day ceremonies at Disneyland, Marty Sklar was a member of what was called the Public Relations department. His main job was to write, edit and produce The Disneyland News, which was a tabloid newspaper in 1890 font and style that Walt had requested as part of the 1955 "streetmosphere" at Disneyland. Continue after the page break as we step into the shoes of Marty Sklar during Disneyland's opening day...

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

When Disneyland opened in 1955, Walt Disney made the decision to have Fantasyland as its main themed land. Walt dedicated this land “… to the young and the young at heart” and “to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.” He also said “Come with me to King Arthur’s Carousel, to see an elephant fly, to dig for diamonds in the Dwarfs mine, and to ride a pirate ship through the sky…” Guest did ride pirate ships through the sky and still do today on the wonderfully classic ride called Peter Pan’s Flight. Continue after the page break and let's see how Walt made his statement become a reality...

Saturday, July 12, 2014

The Disney Avenue Podcast is honored and thrilled to join the MiceChat family. The podcast is brand new and will feature intriguing insights, interviews and opinions with top Imagineers and other popular figures in the Disney stratosphere on a monthly basis. Continue after the page break for more...

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Producer and lyricist Howard Ashman made a huge splash in the world of Disney animation in 1989 with "The Little Mermaid," which he co-produced with John Musker, while the song "Under the Sea," co-written with composer Alan Menken, won an Oscar for Best Song. We all know of that infectious piece when, Sebastian advises Ariel to stay in her home under water, because the seaweed isn't necessarily greener "undah somebody else's lake." Continue after the page break for a glance at one of Disney's finest legends, Howard Ashman...

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Walt Disney and his company single handedly perfected
the art of animation. They set a precedent for animation that other companies
have been scrambling to match ever since. But there are certain techniques that
aid to make Disney the king of animation. Continue after the page break to
learn about two ways Walt brought his vision to life...

Friday, July 4, 2014

From All Of Us Here At Disney Avenue...Have A Happy & Fun Filled Independence Day!!!

On July 4, 1776, our founding fathers bravely came together and claimed our independence from Britain, thus our Democracy was born. America truly is the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” We are a diverse nation made up of dynamic and wonderful people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, family gatherings and trips to the parks for one heck of a fireworks show. If you can't make it to the parks today don't worry, we got you covered. Continue after the page break for a fantastic Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom 4th of July Firework display...

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

“…the Nation’s most breathtaking thrill ride” was part of an October 1972 press release describing the next major attraction coming to Walt Disney World. This announced attraction was going to be called Space Voyage at this point in time and was described as having “eight-passenger space rockets, to whisk you away on a sensational simulated trip into space through showers of brilliant particles, whirling spheres of light and mysterious space caverns.” The press release included artwork by John Hench, Clem Hall, Herb Ryman, George McGinnis and others from WED that featured glorious sketches of a mountainous, futuristic looking structure that we now call Space Mountain. Countinue after the page break for the Making of: Space Mountain...